Abstract: The present invention relates to a heart valve assembly (1000), comprising a frame (1) and a heart valve (100), wherein the frame (1) supports the heart valve (100) or is interconnected thereto, preferably by sewing or sewing alone, the frame (1) comprising at least a first guiding structure (2a) for guiding at least one tension thread (5) for folding and/or unfolding the frame (1) around or along the frame (1), preferably at an outside or an outer circumference of the guiding structure (2a), wherein the heart valve (100), comprises at least two leaflets (101, 101?, 101?); an interconnecting tissue (301) interconnecting the leaflets (101, 101?, 101?) with the frame; wherein the interconnecting tissue (301) or parts thereof, respectively, is interconnected to at least one of the guiding structures (2a, 2b) such that it covers the guiding structure (2a, 2b) or parts thereof at an inner circumference of the guiding structure (2a, 2b) and such that it also covers at least both an upper part (2c) and a lower part

Abstract: Heart valve comprising a crown piece interconnected to leaflets, a top cuff and a bottom cuff; and a medical implant The present invention relates to a heart valve (100), comprising at least two leaflets (101, 101?, 101?); at least one crown piece (111) interconnected to the leaflets (101, 101?, 101?) and intended to be interconnected to a frame (1) of a medical implant or a heart valve assembly; a top cuff (121); and a bottom cuff (131), the crown piece (111), the top cuff (121) and the bottom cuff (131) each being ring-shaped, and each of the top cuff (121) and the bottom cuff (131) being interconnected with the crown piece (111).

Abstract: The robotic device for positioning a surgical instrument relative to the body of a patient includes a first robotic arm with a device for rigidly connecting to at least one surgical instrument, a device for anatomical realignment of the first arm by realigning an image that is of an area of the anatomy of the patient, and a device for compensating the movements of the first arm on the basis of detected movements. One version of the device includes at least one second robotic arm having sensors for detecting inner movements of the anatomical area, and a device for controlling the positioning of the first arm relative to sensed inner movements and to the outer movements induced in the second arm.

Abstract: Degradable bioprostheses made of collagen-based material having amine-based and ester-based crosslinks are provided, as are methods for their formation and use. Some embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a method of controlling the ratio of amine-based crosslinks to ester-based crosslinks within a collagen-based material to provide a tailorably crosslinked collagen-based material. Some embodiments provide a method of making a degradable bioprosthesis involving controlling crosslinking to afford a degradable bioprosthesis that is partially crosslinked. By controlling the ratio of amine-based to ester-based crosslinks, by controlling the level of crosslinking, or by controlling both of these features, degradable bioprostheses with tailored degradation rates can be synthesized. Some embodiments of degradable bioprostheses have degradation rates that are tailored to allow their use in particular medical applications.

Abstract: A centrifugal blood pump for circulating blood is provided, wherein an impeller makes no contact at all with a housing and a rotating shaft and moves in a rotating manner with the impeller in a stably levitating state. Also provided is a blood pump in which the impeller rotates at high speed even when the blood pump is reduced in scale. The blood pump contains a magnet of enhanced magnetic force at the inside of a housing and at an outer peripheral surface of an impeller and providing a fixed-interval spacing on the periphery of a bearing section makes it possible to ensure a state where no contact at all is made between the housing, a shaft, and the impeller, and makes it possible to cause the impeller to rotate stably over a long period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing at least one treatment to at least one tissue having a first structural arrangement configured to expand a first portion at a distal end of the apparatus, a second structural arrangement configured to expand a second portion at the distal end and at least one lumen associated with at least one of the first structural arrangement and/or the second structural arrangement. The first structural arrangement and/or the second structural arrangement can be configured to position the at least one lumen at a particular position with respect to the tissue. A tip is configured to aid in the insertion of the apparatus into the tissue(s).

Abstract: An instrument for thermally-mediated therapies in targeted tissue volumes or for volumetric removal of tissue. In one embodiment, the instrument has an interior chamber that includes a diffuser structure for diffusing a biocompatible conductive fluid that is introduced under high pressure. The interior chamber further includes surfaces of opposing polarity electrodes for vaporizing the small cross-section diffused fluid flows created within a diffuser structure. In one embodiment, the diffuser structure includes a negative temperature coefficient of resistance material between the opposing polarity surfaces. The NTCR structure can self-adjust the lengths of current paths between the opposing polarities to insure complete vaporization of the volume of flow of conductive fluid.

Abstract: A fluid purging system has a spring-energized relief valve having an inlet port that is coupled to a fluid chamber to receive incoming fluid, and an outlet port through which incoming fluid is relieved. The outlet port is fluidly coupled to a pressurized chamber. The fluid purging system also includes an electro-mechanical pressure switch, and an electrically operated solenoid valve which functions as a pressure exhaust valve. The pressure switch and the solenoid valve are in fluid communication with the pressurized chamber.

Abstract: A device for fractionally collecting contents of exhaled air by changing the state of matter of the contents by means of the Joule-Thomson effect arising during the expansion of pressurized gas. The temperature of the exhaled air conducted in a flow channel is lowered, because of the cooling of the expanding gas, to a temperature that is suitable for condensing the contents in the exhaled air flow. This device and method provides a more efficient means by which condensate can be separated from exhaled air in comparison to conveying exhaled air along a cooling surface for the condensation of the contents, as a result of which condensation of the contents occurs only in the area of these cooling surfaces, so that several breath cycles are required for the collection of sufficient condensate for analysis.

Abstract: A needle assembly for a hypodermic syringe is disclosed herein. In various aspects, the needle assembly includes a hub and a needle. A bond secures the needle to the hub, and the bond is configured to break allowing the needle to be withdrawn entirely from the hub upon application of a selected axial force to the needle, in various aspects. The axial force may be less than the tensile strength of the needle. Related methods of use of the needle assembly apparatus are disclosed herein. This Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) only. This Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and the related methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.

Abstract: A cryoablation system has a catheter that receives working cryogen, the catheter having a catheter body that has a distal section having a freezing element which delivers the working cryogen to a treatment location, and a balloon enclosing the freezing element. The catheter body includes an outer tube that has two delivery tubes and a guide wire tube positioned inside the outer tube.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for thermally-mediated therapies in targeted tissue volumes and for causing thermal effects in polymer tissue-contacting members. In one embodiment, the instrument has a working end with an interior chamber that is supplied with a biocompatible liquid. An energy source causes a liquid-to-vapor phase change within the interior of the instrument. The vapor phase media then is ejected from the working surface of the instrument, and a controlled vapor-to-liquid phase change in an interface with tissue applies thermal energy substantially equal to the heat of vaporization to ablate tissue. The vapor-to-liquid phase transitions, or internal energy releases, can be provided about thin-film flexible structures for engaging body lumens and cavities. An exemplary embodiment can be used for shrinking, sealing, welding or creating lesions in tissue—while causing limited collateral thermal damage and while totally eliminating electrical current flow in the engaged tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for folding or unfolding at least one medical implant (300) by using at least one tension thread (11, 11?), wherein the apparatus (100) includes a shaft (1) including a reception area for receiving the implant (300), a tensioning device (19) for altering a shape of the foldable and/or unfoldable implant (300) by means of the tension thread (11, 11?), and a separation device for separating the tension thread (11, 11?) from the implant (300) and/or for cutting through the tension thread (11, 11?). The invention further relates to a set and a method.

Abstract: A surgical retractor comprising an attachment stick, provided with a tip end, intended to be inserted and attached to hard human tissue, such as bone tissue or a vertebra, and at least one shank, attached to the stick, for supporting and keeping organs, muscles and/or tissues at a desired position. The invention is characterized in that said attachment stick has a general shape of a circular cylinder wherein at least one recess is arranged in the outer surface of the stick which recess extends from the tip end in an axial direction of the stick, wherein the recess has a concavely curved shape as seen in a radial cross section taken across the axial direction of the stick.

Abstract: Degradable bioprostheses made of collagen-based material having amine-based and ester-based crosslinks are provided, as are methods for their formation and use. Some embodiments of the present invention are directed towards a method of controlling the ratio of amine-based crosslinks to ester-based crosslinks within a collagen-based material to provide a tailorably crosslinked collagen-based material. Some embodiments provide a method of making a degradable bioprosthesis involving controlling crosslinking to afford a degradable bioprosthesis that is partially crosslinked. By controlling the ratio of amine-based to ester-based crosslinks, by controlling the level of crosslinking, or by controlling both of these features, degradable bioprostheses with tailored degradation rates can be synthesized. Some embodiments of degradable bioprostheses have degradation rates that are tailored to allow their use in particular medical applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light guide unit for a laser applicator, wherein the light guide unit has a light guide tip assembly removably insertable into the laser applicator, wherein the light guide tip assembly comprises an optical fiber and a coupling member provided on a proximal end of the optical fiber. When the coupling member is provided on the optical fiber, a proximal end face of the optical fiber needs to be kept clean. It is also desired that the light guide tip assembly can be manufactured easily. It is suggested to provide the coupling member via a casting technique.

Abstract: A cryoablation system has a gas source which provides a working nitrogen gas at room temperature and at a constant set pressure, a liquid generator which is coupled to the gas source to receive the working gas, and which then generates a working cryogen fluid, and a catheter coupled to the liquid generator for receiving the working cryogen, the catheter having a distal section having a freezing element which delivers the working cryogen to a treatment location, the catheter also having a balloon positioned adjacent the distal section.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dental surgery device (1), comprising a punching member (15) having a cutting end part (16) suitable for removal of tissue on a jaw bone of a patient, and a guiding sleeve (7) for guiding the punching member (15) during a punching operation. The guiding sleeve (7) has a first side (8) intended to face away from the jaw bone and a second side (9) intended to face towards the jaw bone during a punching operation, and a guiding through-hole (101) extends from the first side (8) to the second side (9). The punching member (15) is adapted to fit into the guiding through-hole (101) such as to allow guidance by the guiding sleeve (7) when the punching member (15) is moved in an axial direction through the guiding through-hole (101).

Abstract: A scan body element is configured to be inserted in a dental implant or implant analog for scanning with or in an optical scanning system. The scan body element has a top part with at least one geometric feature recognizable via scanning. A metallic lower part is shaped to fit to a dental implant or an analog, and fixed to the top part. A central part is arranged inside the lower part, and includes a threaded portion and a recess for receiving a screw driver through a hole in the top part. The recess allows the threaded portion to be turned relative to the lower part to fasten the scan body element to the implant or the analog. The central part is configured to be interlocked between the lower part and the top part such that the scan body element is arranged as a single element.

Abstract: A prefilled medical injection device with production specific elements is provided as a single use disposable injection device that is optimally suited for mass production through the Blow Fill Seal manufacturing process. The device utilizes a valve and a needle assembly fused to an insert. The valve and the needle assembly are positioned within the insert forming a conduit. The needle assembly is covered with a needle cap that is detachably coupled to protecting the needle assembly from contamination and a user from accidental needle stick. The insert is engaged to the bellows during the BFS manufacturing process and hermetically sealed by a paris on layer that covers exterior portion of the insert and the needle cap. The parison layer is formed and trimmed creating exterior features that facilitate the use of the prefilled medical injection.